PARTICIPATION OF JSC KIEP IN THE PROJECT OF MODERNIZATION OF THE RADIATION CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE CHORNOBYL EXCLUSION ZONE

In January 2021 JSC KIEP started development of the Project U4.01/18B “Modernization of the dosimetric control systems in the Exclusion Zone and environmental (radiation) monitoring at the “Vektor” Complex and the “Buriakivka” disposal facility” being a part of the international consortium with companies ASSYSTEM Engineering (France) and ASSYSTEM Envy (Turkey). Initially, the completion of this project was planned for June 2022, but due to the war waged by russia against Ukraine, it was actually completed only in April 2023.

According to Mr. David Corbett, Director of the JSO (Joint Support Office of the European Commission Projects in Ukraine) during the final project closing meeting: “The implementation of the project was carried out by all participants in unusual conditions: a long period of Covid-19, and then the russian invasion of Ukraine. Therefore, there were significant delays in the implementation of the project. Nevertheless, thanks to the contribution of all parties involved in the project, and especially KIEP - a Ukrainian member of the Contractor's team, and other Ukrainian organizations (End Users (SSE “CEMRW”, SSE “Ecocentre” and SSE “ChNPP”), Beneficiary (State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management), SNRIU and SSTC), the project was successfully completed …”

This project was initiated by the State Administration of the Exclusion Zone of Ukraine with the support of the European Commission within the framework of the “Instrument for the nuclear safety cooperation (INSC)”, created to finance the measures aimed at increasing the level of nuclear security, radiation protection and applying effective and economic measures for the protection of nuclear materials in non-EU countries, including Ukraine.

Within the scope of the project, the Consortium participants, with the effective support of the End Users, the Beneficiary and the JSO office, performed a large amount of work, which included:

• comprehensive analysis of the existing condition of the environmental radiation monitoring and dosimetry control system in the Exclusion Zone as a whole, and at individual facilities of SSE “CEMRW”, SSE “Ecocentre” and SSE “ChNPP”, in terms of the ability to meet the safety requirements of Ukraine and comply with the best international practice;
• development of measures to improve systems by modernizing existing systems and/or creating new systems using modern solutions and equipment of systems for radiation monitoring and dosimetric control of people and transport with optimization of costs for such activities and development of a financial dossier, determination of the first-priority technical measures for their implementation with the aim of liquidation of deficits in radiation safety;
• development of four Designs (separately for each industrial facility and the Exclusion Zone) and Technical specifications for supply of Automated radiation monitoring systems (ARMS) and equipment for the dosimetric control system.

The design documentation, which was developed by JSC KIEP with the participation of Western partners, envisages the implementation of such measures in the Exclusion Zone of the Chornobyl NPP:

• to completely update the system of external radiation dosimetric control of personnel and visitors at dosimetry control points (DCP) “Dytiatky”, DCP “Paryshiv”, DCP “Leliv” and DCP “Dibrova” with replacement of all outdated equipment, installation of new modern automated systems for radiation control of people and vehicles and providing control data to a unified database of the Exclusion Zone;
• to improve the system of external radiation dosimetric control of personnel and visitors at the SSE ChNPP using modern equipment;
• to improve the system of environmental (radiation) monitoring at two facilities in the Exclusion Zone, i.e. at the “Vektor” Industrial Complex (modernization of the existing ARMS) and at the near-surface radioactive waste disposal facility “Buriakivka” (RWDF “Buriakivka”) by creating a new ARMS using up-to-date technical solutions and equipment.

All design documentation and technical specifications were carefully checked by the parties interested in receiving benefits from the implementation of this project, as well as agreed by SNRIU, which confirmed the high level of their development by JSC KIEP and its French and Turkish partners from the Consortium. Despite the current situation in Ukraine, the procedures for purchasing systems and equipment, which are financed by the European Commission, have already started. Practical implementation of the project has started …..